Analysis: Hernandez most creative for Leeds United in Saiz's absence '“ but chances go begging at Ipswich
United’s key playmaker Saiz is serving a six-game ban for spitting at Robbie Willmott in last weekend’s FA Cup loss at Newport County but ‘deputy’ no 10 Hernandez was by far the visiting side’s most dangerous player at Ipswich.
The Spaniard had 74 touches of the ball, considerably more than any other Whites player and the 32-year-old made three key passes which led to chances.
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Hide AdThe Whites no 10 also had two attempts at goal though his overall passing accuracy was low at 55.8 per cent.
Hernandez went particularly close to bagging an equaliser in the 83rd minute when his curling shot from the edge of the area flew inches over the bar while the Spaniard set up three particularly good opportunities for Liam Cooper, Kemar Roofe and Pawel Cibicki.
Cooper, though, skied an effort over the bar from three yards out following a Hernandez cross, Cibicki skewed a shot from 14 yards out over while Roofe failed to make the most of being played in by the no 10 in the first half.
Only lone striker Roofe had more attempts at goal than Hernandez but all three of Roofe’s efforts were blocked by defenders meaning the forward failed to land a shot on target.
United managed just two of them, through Kalvin Phillips and substitute Pierre-Michel Lasogga whose powerful shot in second half stoppage time forced a good save from Dean Gerken.